Fluid-clutch.



J. R. KINNEY.

FLUID CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR.26. I91].

Patented July [6, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET J. R. KINNEY.

FLUID CLUTCH.

APPLICATION man maze. m1.

1,272,814. Patented July 16, 1918 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 .iUs'rUs n. KINNEY,or ALLSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FLUID-CLUTCH.

Original application Mel November 18, 1916, Serial No. 132,477.

'= 1917. Serial No. 165,271.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JUs'rUs R. KINNEY, acitizen of the United States of America, and a resi ent of Allston, inthe county of Suffolk: and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvernen'ts in fluid-Clutches, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to fluid clutches and particularly to devices ofthis class which are adapted to be used in connection with the powertransmission mechanism of motor cars to transmit motion gradually fromthe engine to the driving mechanism whereby varying speeds may beobtained through the medium of a confined body of fluid. I

The present invention is a division of the application filed by me Nov.18. 1916, and numbered 132,477.

.The invention consists in means for controlling the flow of the fluidin its casing, for the purpose of varying the speed of the ,drivenmember during the rotary movement of the driving member, or to permitthe free circulation of the fluid in the casing so that no power istransmitted from one member to the other.

The invention consists further in certain novel features of co structionand arrangement of parts whic l i will be fully understood by referencet the description of the drawings and to I he claims hereinafter given.

For the purpose of illustrating the ihvention one preferred form thereofis illustrated in the drawings, been found. to give satisfactoryand'reliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstruinentalities of which the invention consists can be variouslyarranged and'organized, and thatthe invention is not limited to theprecise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities asherein'shown and describec Of the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a central longitudinal section of a device embodyingthe principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 represents a vertical transverse section -on line 2-2 on Fig. 1.

Specification of Letters Patent.

'part 20 of said clutch.

this form having Patented July 16, 1918. Divided and this applicationfiled April 28,

Fig. 3 represents a verticalf transverse section on line 3-3 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 represents a vertical transverse section on line -l--i on Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 represents a sectional detail of the sliding valve mechanism online 5--5 on Fig. 3, and

Fig. (i represents a sectional detail of the sliding valve on line 6-6on Fig. 3.

Similar clmrzurters designate like arts throughout the several figuresof the rawings.

In the drawings. 10 represents a casing member having secured to one enda cover plate 11 provided with an outwardly extending hub 12. havingtherein a. bearing 13 for the end of a revoluble shaft 14, to which issecured one part 15 of a clutch.

The part 1.5 is provided with a hub 16 and on this hub 16 and the hub 12is mountcd a sleeve 17, said sleeve being keyed to the hub 12, asindicated at 18. The sleeve 17 is surrounded by the hub 19 of a movablesaid part; 20 being keyed to the sleeve 17 at 21 so as to revolvetherewith, while at the same time it is adapted to be movedlongitudinally thereof to permit the two parts 1520 ofthe clutch to ie(mgaged and disengaged as desired. 1

The part 15 is provided with an annular 22, the inner face of which isinclined to correspond to and coart with the coneshaped flange 23 of thepart- 20. he hub '19 is also provided with an annular flange 24 havingan annular groove 25 therein. Between the flange 21 and the cover 11 andsurrounding the hub 19 is a helical 7 spring 26 which is adapted tonormally retain the cone-shaped flange 23 of the part 20 in contact withthe flange 22 of the part 15, thereby locking the two parts together andpreventing rotary movement of either independently of the othen In thegroove 25 is disposed a ring 26 provided with diametral outwardlyextending trunnions 27 extending through slots 28 in the parallel arms29 of a pivoted lever 30, the lower ends of which are secured at 31 toan oscillating shaft 32 disposed in any suitable bearings.

The upper end of the lever 30 is provided with a treadle pad 33 by whichthe part 20 may be disengaged from the part 15 of the clutch when it isdesired to permit rotary movement of one part relatively to the other.

The ring 2d? isprcferably made in'two parts connected tQgethcr at 34 asindicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The lever is also preferably made in twoparts connected together at 35 as shown in said. Figs. 1 and 2. Thelever 30 extends upwardly through a slot 37 in the floor 38 of the carso that the treadle 33 is above said floor 38 in position to be actuatedby the foot of the operator.

The hub 19 of the part 20 is provided with a radial arm 39, the outerend of which is connected to the stem 40 of the valve 41 positioned in acylindrical depressimi 42 extending transversely of the casing 10.

The casing 10 has secured to its outer face a flangeformed upon orsecured to the driving or engine shaft 12* which is rcvolubly mounted ina bearing A3. The casing 10 is provided with a central projection 44 onits inner face, said projection being surrounded by a cylindrical flange4.5 formed upon the inner end of the driven shaft 14, all as shown inFig. 1.

The casing 10 is provided with a central cylindrical chamber 46 in whichis disposed an annular piston member 47 surrounding an eccentric 48keyed to the flange of the driven shaft 14.

Set into the casing 10 is a cii rshapcd member 49 forming anothercylindrical chamber 50 in which is disposed another annular pistonmember 51 surrounding another eccentric 52 also keyed to the flange 45of the driven shaft 14.

The eccentrics 48 "and 52 are disposed diametrically opposite eachother.

While onl two chambers 46 and 50 are shown in t e drawings, it isobvious a greater number may be used in ivhizh case the eccentricstherein should be equally spaced about the axis of the shaft 14.

Each pistonmember 47 and 51 is provided with a radial blade 53 eachextending through a diametrai slot in a cylindrical .os= cillatingmember 54. These slotted oscillating members 4 are disposed in alinementin the cylind the casing 10. The depression 55 communicates with thecylindrical chambers 46 and 50 and also communicates by two passages 56with the depression 42.

This depression 42 also communicates with the chambers 46 and .50 andwith one end of a connecting passage 57 partially surrounding thecylindrical chambers 46 and 50.

The opposite end of said connecting passage is closed by the wall orabutment 58. The piston blades 53 are each provided with assnges 59exteiiding from the outer ands t ereof, the inner ends of said passagesca-l depression 55 formed in;

communicating hers l6 and 50.

In the depression 42 is the cup-shaped valve 41, one end of which isprovided with the stem 40 extending through a stufiing box (30. The endof the valve 41 nearest said stem 40 is provided with a plurality ofopenin 61 through which the fluid is adapte d to pass as the valve isreciprocatcd in the depression 42.

The depression 42 is provided with a cylindrical lining 62 preventedfrom rotating b the key 63. This lining is provided with three sets ofports 64, 65, and 66.

The ports (54 communicate with the paswith the cylindrical chamsages 56,the ports 65 with the cylindrical chambers 4-6 and 50, while the ports66 communicate with the .end of the connecting passage 57. The tubularportion of the valve 41 is also provided with three sets of ports (17,68, and (i9, enacting respectively with the ports 64:, 65. and 6G,

The ports 69 are arranged to be always in communication with the ports 6regardless of the position of the valve 41. The ports (38 are alsoarranged to be in communication at all'times with the ports 65,although, in the movement of the valve 41 these ports 65 and 66 may bepartially closed.

In order to balance the casin 10, chambers 70 are formed thereindiametrically opposite the depressions 42-55 and these chambers arefilled with material of sufficient weight to balance the weight of theparts opposite thereto. The rotation of the casing 10 is in thedirection indicated by the arrow on Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The normal working position of the valve 41 is that shown in Figs. 5 and6, with the ports 64 closed, and when in this position all circulationof fluid in the chambers 46 and 5c is prevented, thereby causing thedriven shaft 14 to be rotated at the same or substanti ally the samespeed as the engine shaft and in the same direction therewith.

When it is desired to start the car, the operator depresses the treadle33, thus disengaging the clutch parts 15 and 20 and movingsimultaneously the sliding valve 41 so that the ports 64 are fullyopened. The fluid will then be free to circulate from the chambers 4650through the passages 59 and 56 and recess 42 and also through theconnecting passage 57, and no'movement will be imparted to the drivenshaft 14 by theflriving or. engine shaft 42* when the engine has beenstarted.

If the operator gradually permits the treadle lever to return to itsnormal posi tion, the circulation of the fluid in the easing will begradually retarded and consequently the speed of the driven shaft willbe increased proportionately until by the action of the spring 26 thesliding part 20 has t l l %ers bers' having a cylilidricalcentralchamuman been moved into grippin contact with the other part 15 thereofan the clutch members securely locked together.

It is obvious that atany one time while the 6 engine is running thespeed of the driven member may be changed at will .by simply actuatingthe treadle 33 and partially closing the ports 64, thus graduallybuilding up a pressure in the chambers46 and 50.

10 \Vhen the casing 10 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow(1 on Fig. 3 of the drawings, the oil in the connecting passage 57 willbe forced in the opposite direction, and through the ports 6669 andports 6568 into the chambers 4650, thus keeping these chamberscompletely filled with fluid at all times and under all conditions.

When the ports 6467 are open the fluid is permitted to freely pass fromthe chambers 4650 through the passages 59 into the valve 41, from whichsaid fluid may pass into the chambers Mbthrough the ports 68 or into theconnecting passage 57 through the ports 6669. 25 When the device is inoperation, the discharge ports 64-67 are closed and the foot is ofl' thetreadle. At this time there is a clear passage through the \valve 41from the passage 57 to the. chambers 4650. 80 When it is desired to stopa car to which said device is attached, the treadle 33 is depressed,thereby opening-the discharge ports 64-67 and permitting the pressure inthe chambers 46-50 to be released. While the "3' ports (i l-67 are beingopened, the ports 6568 are being tpartially closed, thus grads uallyshuttingo the-supply of oil to the chambers 46-50, and thus permittingthe fluid clutch to idle more easil 9 At the beginning of the nwardmovement at the valves 41 the clutch member 23 is removed from contactwith the member 4 $2, and these two members are free from contact whenthe ports 64-67 begin to 4 any means of this device any requ'iredispeedmay be attained and the speed varied mt will or all powerdisconnected from the ,tjttdriven shaft.

"This makes very' efiectivefluid clutch i: z particularly ad pted -to beused in connec- ,tion with pow r transmission devices for motor cars. av It is believed that the operation and many advantages of thisinvention will be fully "a" understood from the foregoing description.Having thus described my invention, I laim:

1. In a t of a cylindrical casing on one'of said ii partially,surrounded by a connecting assage communicating therewith at one d bytwo" communicating "passages, said device of the class described, thefilb'combination'with driving and driven memchamber and connectingpassage both containing fluid; an eccentric piston in said chambersecured to the other member and provided with a radial blade having afluid passe e therein communicating with said '10 cham er; anoscillating member in one communicating passage provided with adiametral slot therein through which said blade extends; anda valve inthe other communicating passage ada ted to control the flow of fluidbetween sai chamber and connecting passage.

2. In a device of the class described; the combination with driving anddriven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having "acylindrical central chamber partially surrounded by a connecting passagecommunicating therewith at one end by two communicating passages, saidchamber and connecting passage both-containing fluid; an eccentricpiston in said chamber secured to the other 'member and provided with aradial blade havi'ng a fluid passa e therein communicating with saidchain r an oscillating member in one commumcating passage providedwith adiametral slot therein through which said blade extends; and a slidablevalve in the other communicating pafssage adapted to control the flow'of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage. I i

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with driving anddriven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said membershaving acylindrical central chamber partially'surrounded bya connecting passagecommunicating at one end by two communicating passages, said chamber andconnecting passage both containing fluid; an eccentric piston in saidchamber secured to the other member and provided with a radial bladehaving a fluid passage therein communicating with said'chamberyanloscillating member in one eommunicati passage provided with a.diametral slott erein through which said blade extends; a slidablevalve in the other communicating. passage adapted to control the flow offluid between said chamber and connecting passage; and treadlecontrolled means for imparting a slidin movement to said valve.

. 4. 1% a device of the class described, the combination with drivingand driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of saidmembers'having a cylindrical central chem-{ ber partially surrounded bya connecting passage communicating atone end by two communicatingpassages, said chamber and connectin passage both containing fluid;

an eccentric piston in said chamber secured .to the other member andprovided with a radial blade, having a fluid passage thereincommunicating with said chamber; an oscillating member in onecommunicating passage provided with adiametral slot therei80 in throughwhich said blade extends; and a slidable valve in the othercommunicating psssage ada ted to control the flow of fluid tween saitchamber and connecting pas sage, said valve having two sets of ports,'

one set of which communicatesiwith the mssage to the fluid p ssage insaid radial b tide while the other s is adapted to communicute withports into said chamber.

5. In a device of the'cla'ss described, the combination with'drivin anddriven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having acylindrical central chamber partially surrounded by a connecting passagecommunicating atone end by two communicating passages, said chamber andconnecting passage both containing fluid; an eccentric piston in saidchamber secured to the other member and provided with a radial bladehaving a fluid passage therein communicating with saidchambcr; anoscillating member in one communicating passage provided with adiamctral slot therein throu h which said blade extends; and a cup-staped valve in the other communicating passage adapted to control thetlow of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with driving anddriven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having acylindrical central chamber partially surrounded by a connecting passagecommunicating therewith at one end by two communicating passages, saidchamber and connecting passage both containing fluid; an eccentricpiston in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with aradial blade having a fluid passage therein communicating with saidchamber; an oscillating member in one communicating passage providedwith a diametral slht therein t ough which said blade extends; and acupapedt valve in the other communicating passage adapted to control theflow of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage, 'paid valvehavin a pinrality of openings in the end thereo 7. In a device of theclass described, the combination with revolublc driving and drivenmembers, of a cylindrical casing on one of said membershavingatylindrical central chamber partial] surrounded by a connecting passagean both containing fluid, the ends of said connecting passage beingseparated by an abutment provide with two transverse cylindricaldepressions both communicating with each other and with said centralchamber, and tinealso communicating with an end of said connectingpassage;

a slotted oscillating member in the. first men- 'tioncd depressionarotary eccentric piston in the central chamber rovided with a.

radial blade extending through the slot in' passage thereincommunicating with said chamber, said piston being secured to the otherrevoluble member; a valve member in the other de res-sion having portsadapted to control the ow of fluid between said central chamber andconnecting passage; and means for controlling the operation of the fluidcontrolling member.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with revolubledriving and driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of saidmembers having a cylindrical central chamber partial] surrounded by aconnecting passage am both containing fluid, the ends of said connectingpassage bc ing separated by an abutment provided with two transversecylindrical depressions, both communicating with each other and withsaid central chamber, and one also communicatiitg with an end of saidconnecting passage; a slotted oscillating member in the first mentioneddepression; a rotary eccentric piston in the central chamber provi adwith a radial blade extending through the ot in said oscillating memberand having fluid,

passage therein communicating with said chamber, said piston beingsecured to the other revolnble member; a tubular valve member in theother depression having ports -adaptcd to control the flow of fluidbelot) central chamber partially surrounded b a connecting passage anboth -containing fluid, the ends of said connecting passage be ingseparated by, an abutment provided with two transverse cylindrical doressions both communicating with each ot er and with said centralchamber, and one also comnmnicating with an end of said connectingpassage; a slottedoscillating member in the rst mentioned depression; arotary eccentric piston in the central chamber provided with a radialblade extending through the slot in saidoscillating member and having afluid passage therein communicating with said chamber, said piston beingsecured to, the other revoluble member; a vnlvomember in the other:depression having three setsIof ports adapted to control the flow offluid be: tween said central chamber and connecting passage, the set of'ports to said'connecting.

sion and with the central chamber; and, y I e operation of the vfluidcontrolling. member means for controlling th 10. In a device ofthe classdeaet'ilried, the combination with revoluble" driving and T8 0 drivenmembers. of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having twoseparated cyliinlrical chambers, centrally disposed, both partiallysurrounded by a connecting passage, both said passage and chamberscontaining tluid. and the rods of said connecting passage beingseparated by an abutment provided with two transverse cylin- (lricaldepressions. both connnunicating with each other and with said centralchambers. and one also connnunicating with the opposite and of saidconnecting passage: two slotted oscillating members positioned end toend in the first mentioned depression; a rotary eccentric piston in eachcentral chamber provided with a radial blade extending through the slotin an oscillating member and tuning a fluid passage tIa-rcthrougheomnninical'ing with said chamber. said piston being secured to theother revoluble member: a ported valve in the other depression adaptedto control the How of thlid between said central chambers and connectingpassage; and means for controlling the operation of said fluidcontrolling member.

11. In a device of the class described. the combination with revolubledriving and drii'en members. of a cylindrical. casing on both partiallysurrounded by a connecting passage, both said passage and chamberscontaining fluid. and the ends of said connecting passage beingseparated by an abutment provided with two transverse cylindricaldepressions. both communicating with each other and with said centralchambers, and one also communicating with the opposite end of saidconnecting passage; two slotted oscillating members positioned end toend in the first mentioned depression: a rotary eccentric piston in eachcentral chan|- her provided with a radial blade extending through theslot in an oscillating member, and having a fluid passage therethroughcommunicating with said cylindrical chane her, said piston being securedto the other revolubte member: a reciprocating ported valve in the otherdepression adapted to control the flow of fluid bet ween said centralehambcrs and connecting passage: and means for controlling the operationof said fluid controlling valve.

Signed by me at Boston. Mass. this 18th day of April. 1917.

JUSTUS H. Kl NN HY.

Witnesses Wanna: E. Loamano, NATHAN Lomeann.

